Signal apparatus.



V. J. GRETTOL.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION IILBD JUNE 3, 1913. v 1,095,084, Patented Apr.28,1914.

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V. J. ORETTOL.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLIAIATION PILBD UNEs, 1913.

1,095,084, Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

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V. J. GRETTOL. SIGNAL APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 1913. 1 ,O95,Q84, Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

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LOLUMBIA PLANOGRAPN IO-,WASQUNGTON, D c.

VICTOR J. CRETTOL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

Application filed June 3, 1913. Serial No. 771,494.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VIoToR J. CRETToL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, East Side, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Signal Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improven'rents in Signal apparatus and has particular application to an apparatus of this character for use in conjunction with mail boxes in rural districts.

In carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide a signal apparatus of the class described whereby when the carrier deposits the mail within the box an indicator within the house, store or other structure will be actuated so as to notify the co cupants of such house of the presence of the mail.

It is also my purpose to provide an apparatus of the class described whereby when the mail matter has been deposited within the mail box, an indicator will be actuated within the house, and an audible signal placed in operation automatically by the indicator so as to advise the occupants of the house or other structure in which the apparatus is installed of the presence of the mail matter within the box.

Furthermore, I aim to provide a signal apparatus for use in conjunction with mail boxes which will embrace the desired features of simplicity efficiency, durability and convenience and which may be installed and maintained at a minimum expense.

Vith the above and other objects in View, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth in and falling within the scope of the claim.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a plan view of a signal apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through a mail box. Fig. 3 is a similar view taken at right angles to Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation of the indicator, the cover of the box or housing being open. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the indicator casing showing the mechanism in top plan, and Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus. Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view through the mail box.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, A indicates a mail box or receptacle composed of any suitable material and of any desired outline and having an entrance slot 1 formed in the top wall thereof and adapted to be closed by means of a lid or closure 2 hingedly connect-ed to the box. The front wall of the mail box is form: ed with an entrance opening closed by means of a hinged door 3 equipped with a suitable form of lock 4 whereby the dooi may be locked in closed position. Arranged upon the bot-tom wall of the box and suitably secured thereto adjacent to the opposite side walls thereof are standards 5 in which are o-urnaled for rotary movement the opposite ends of a shaft 6 arranged longitudinally of the box approximately centrally thereof and carrying a plat-form disposed in the path of the letters, cards and the like deposited within the box by way of the slot 1 and adapted to tilt or swing when such letters or cards drop thereon. Connected to the top wall of the box adjacent to one longitudinal edge of the slot 1 therein and depending therefrom are guide fingers 8 cooperating with the rear wall of the box to form a way for the letters, cards, papers and the like deposited within the box so as to throw such mail matter onto the platform 7 at one side of the longitudinal center line thereof in order that the platform will swing or tilt. Extending upwardly from one end edge of the platform 7 and preferably formed integral therewith is a contact 9 adapted to swing with the platform and engage a stationary contact 10 fastened upon the adjacent standard 5. This mail box may be located upon the gate post of a dwelling house or any other suitable or convenient place.

Arranged within the house, store or other structure equipped with my improved signal apparatus is an indicator B comprising in the present instance, a substantially rectangular box or casing 11 having the front side thereof open and adapted to be closed by means of a door 12 hinged to the respective edge: of one of the side walls and Cir the door or closure will be held in closed position. Fastened to one side wall of this box or casing 11 within the same and appropriately spaced apart are vertically alining bearings 14 in which is ournaled a vertical shaft 15 having the upper end thereof formed to provide a horizontally disposed irregularly shaped loop 16 and thence ex tended upwardly as at 17. Suitably fastened to the upward extension 17 on the shaft 15 is an indicator hand 18 having suitable indicia inscribed thereon such, for instance, as U. S. mail and visible, when in active position, through a window 19 formed in the door 12 of the box 11. Suitably fastened to the opposite side wall of-the casing or box 11 is a pair of electromagnets 20 connected in series with one another, while pivotally mounted within a bracket 21 fastened to the bottom of the box or casing 11 is one end of a vertical armature 22 disposed with in theinfiuence of the poles of the magnets 20 and carrying at its upper extremity an arm 23 bent or extended laterally as at as and thence projected upwardly and through M the looped portion 16 of the shaft 15 as at 25 so that when the magnets are energized the armature-will be swung about its pivot and so impart movement to the shaft 16, through the medium of the arm 23 and the ilooped portion 16 of such shaft, to throw the indicator hand 1'8 to active position.

Appropriately fastened to the top wall of the casing 11 and depending therefrom is a stationary contact 26, while cooperating.

. with such contact is a second contact 27 'A battery or other suitable source of electrical energy 30 is located upon the premises at some appropriate point and connected in series wit-h the leads 31, 31 of such battery is the bell 28 and the push button 29 so that when the push button is actuated the circuit will be closed and the bell sounded. By virtue of this construction, it will be seen that the bell 28 may be used as an ordinary form of annunciat-or to in dicate the presence of a person at the door or gate of the structure in which the signal apparatus is installed. Multiplied across the leadsSl of the battery are conductors 32, 32 including in series the platform 7, contacts 9 and 10, and the magnets 20, while also connected across the leads 31 are conductors' 33, 33' terminally connected to the contacts 26 and 27 and adapted, when Such contacts are closed, to form a path for the current through the bell and around the push button 29. A switch 34 is preferably located in the leads 31 and connected in series with the push button so that the latter may be rendered inoperative, so far as affecting the bell is concerned, when desired, while a second switch 35 is also located in the leads adjacent to the battery so that the entire apparatus may be put out of service at any time.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, mode of operation and manner of employing my improved signal apparatus will be readily apparent. When the postman or carrier deposits a letter within the box by way of the slot 1 there in, such letter, magazine, card or other mail matter, as the case may be, is deposited upon the, platform upon one side of the bearings of the shaft 6 supporting such platform thereby causing the platform to swing and so bring the contacts 9 and 10 into engagement. In this position of the platform, the circuit is closed to the magnets 20 by way of the conductors 31, switch 35 and conductors 32 and the magnets, being energized, attract the armature 22 thereby swinging the indicator hand 18 into a position to be viewed, through the window 19 in the casing, and bringing the contacts 26 and 27 into engagement with each other with the effect to close the circuit around the push button 29 and so sound the bell 28. Thus, the occupants of the dwelling house, store or other structure will be advised automatically when mail matter is deposited within the box.

It will be seen that I have provided a signal apparatus whereby the occupants of the structure in which the apparatus is installed will. be automatically advised when mail matter is deposited within the mail box, while the audible signal of such apparatus may be caused to operate manually and so function as a calling annunciator.

While I have herein shown and described one preferred form of my invent-ion by way of illustration, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit or confine myself to the precise details of construction herein described and delineated, as modification and variation may be made within the scope of the claim without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

In signal apparatus of the class described, a mail box, a source of electrical energy, lead wires from said source, a circuit closer within said mail box, an indicator connected in series with said circuit closer and in multiple with said lead wires whereby upon the insertion of mail matter in the box the and the latter energized, an audible signal, a push button connected in series With said lead Wires whereby the signal may be sounded upon the operation of the push button, conductors connected in multiple With said lead Wires around said push button, contacts connected to the terminals of said conductors and normally spaced apart, and means adapted to be actuated by said indicator to close said last contacts whereby the 10 v circuit Will be closed around said push button and through the audible signal.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

VICTOR J. ORETTOL. W'itnesses:

JOSEPH KUKAL, MARIE Knoss.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents, Washington, D. G. 

